The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-22
DEATH OF THE FIRST VOLUNTEER.
Capt. W. w. Bush, Who Enlisted April 10,
1851, Dies in Poverty.

Lockport. N. Y, Special.
Capt William Writ Bush Of the Twenty
eighth New York Volunteers, and tie arst vol
unteer to enlist in the late war, died here this
morning, in hut in an alley of the city sur
rounded by filth and having none of the COM
forts of life His career before, during the war
and since, has been one of strange adventure.
Bush was born here Aug. 81, 1892 Before the
war he was arrested for killing canal-boat cap
tain named Frost A driver of the boat had as
sailed Bush's brother Stephen, and the captain
of the boat went to the assistance of his driver,
when Bush struck him with billet of wood, in
f1icting injuries from which he died few days
after at Rochester. Bush WAS tried for murder
but was acquitted on the ground OF self defense
At the time of the war he was running saloon
in the city. When the call for troops was tele-
graphed from Washington ne had his papers all
drawn and enlisted on April 10, 1S6l-the first
volunteer in the regular army. He formed
company of his own and enrolled under the
Twenty eighth Regiment. which left here May %
liant one, and has been attested to by his supe-
riors in various commands
Lieutenantg general Phil Sheridan writes:
Captain Bush was a good and faithful soldier !"
Similar to this were the personal testimonials
from General Slocum. General Howard, General
Williams and General Shields, which were found
in his effects here Captain Bush was twice
court-martaled. but both times was honoraoly
acquitted.
General Prince, Z. S. A, writes: 81 was q
prisoner of at Libby Prison with Captain
Bush He rendered me much service by caring
for the sick and looking after the interest of his
felow-prisoners, and during fight among the
prisoners on board the transport, at Fortress
Monroe Captain Bush parted the combatants at
my order, and restored peace and good conduct"
Captain Bush was court-martialed for this
through spite, but was cleared of the charge
by this letter. Captain Bush was twice elected
president of the Twelfth Corps Society of the
Army of the Potomac The soldiers and sailors
of the different States presented the Captain
| with magnificent gold badge for being the first
enrolled man. He was also presented with q
gold headed cane. made from piece of Commo-
dore Perry's flagship. for assisting militia COM
| pany in the riots at Buffalo, in 1877.
An incident in his career happened in May,
| 1885, He with others. participated in the ex-
cursion eff the Twenty eighth to Staunton, Va
While there it so happened that he was the guest
| of prominent ex-confederate family who lived
| within a stones throw of the building where he
was Union prisoner during the war. From
the really elegant rooms given him by his hos
| pitabe entertainers the Captain could almost
see into the apartments where the confederates
| held him in DURANGO vile during the war. 1t
was to Staunton that the Captain was brought q
prisoner.
OF late years he has been failing in health,
brought by diseases contracted in Libby
prison. These proved upon his mind that he
became at times slightly insane. His wife anG
children have not lived with him. His son, w
w. Bush, jr.. was cadet on the United States
steamship Yantlc until June last, when he re
signed to return to look after his father. There
| are two daughters, one of whom married the sol
| of old Nose Case. the minstrel, and the other il
still young girl These. with brother, ar,
all the family surviving. Bush will be buried
! from the Congregational Church here on Thurs
day with military and civic honors All the G
| A. r. posts of this part of the State will attend
/ General Rogers of Buffalo, an old friend OF tn
/ Captain, will be present.